What should I watch for while using this medicine?

Visit your doctor or health care professional for regular checks on your progress. You will need a regular breast and pelvic exam and Pap smear while on this medicine. You should also discuss the need for regular mammograms with your health care professional, and follow his or her guidelines for these tests.

This medicine can make your body retain fluid, making your fingers, hands, or ankles swell. Your blood pressure can go up. Contact your doctor or health care professional if you feel you are retaining fluid.

If you have any reason to think you are pregnant, stop taking this medicine right away and contact your doctor or health care professional.

Smoking increases the risk of getting a blood clot or having a stroke while you are taking this medicine, especially if you are more than 35 years old. You are strongly advised not to smoke.

If you wear contact lenses and notice visual changes, or if the lenses begin to feel uncomfortable, consult your eye doctor or health care professional.

If you are going to have surgery or an MRI, you may need to stop taking this medicine. Consult your health care professional for advice before you schedule the surgery.

You may bathe or participate in other activities while wearing your patch. If the patch pulls loose or falls off, you may reapply it if the patch is sticky enough to stay on the skin. You should reapply the patch in a different area. Use a fresh patch if it will no longer stick.

What side effects may I notice from receiving this medicine?

Side effects that you should report to your doctor or health care professional as soon as possible:

breakthrough bleeding and spotting

breast tissue changes or discharge

chest pain

leg, arm or groin pain

nausea, vomiting

severe headaches

severe stomach pain

sudden shortness of breath

yellowing of the eyes or skin

Side effects that usually do not require medical attention (report to your doctor or health care professional if they continue or are bothersome):

symptoms of vaginal infection like itching, irritation or unusual discharge

weight gain

Where should I keep my medicine?

Keep out of the reach of children.

Store at room temperature between 15 and 30 degrees C (59 and 86 degrees F). Do not store any patches that have been removed from their protective pouch. Throw away any unused medicine after the expiration date. Dispose of used patches properly. Since used patches may still contain active hormones, fold the patch in half so that it sticks to itself prior to disposal.

Remember, keep this and all other medicines out of the reach of children,
never share your medicines with others, and use this medication only for the indication prescribed.